Two-headed centerfielder a monster

SAN FRANCISCO – After two weeks of the season, the Padres' center-field platoon of Scott Hairston and Jody Gerut represents one of the best players in the National League.

Entering last night's game, Gerut and Hairston were hitting .350 (21-for-60) with seven doubles, three homers, 14 RBI, 14 runs scored and six walks for 44 total bases, a .409 on-base percentage and a .733 slugging percentage.

The totals include a combined 2-for-6 mark as a pinch-hitter with one run scored and one RBI.

But the pair almost evenly divided playing time in the season's first 13 games since the Padres faced six left-handed starters (5-1).

Were Gerut and Hairston one player – which, essentially, they are – they would have led the National League in runs scored, hits and total bases going into last night's game. In addition, they would have been tied for the lead in doubles, tied for third in RBI, ranked fourth in slugging percentage and tied for 10th in homers.

Burke returns

Twenty-eight days after he was traded to Seattle for “cash considerations,” infielder Chris Burke returned to the Padres yesterday for “cash considerations” to plug the hole created by the injury to rookie shortstop Everth Cabrera.

“These were two of the more convenient trades,” said Burke, 29, who was with the Mariners' Triple-A team in Tacoma (.237 in 10 games) when he was told to rejoin the Padres. In spring training, Burke merely walked the Peoria Sports Complex to join the Mariners.

Burke can play all four infield positions as well as the corner outfield spots, although he's not the shortstop that Cabrera was. Still, Padres manager Bud Black said he intends to spell Luis Rodriguez with Burke until Cabrera is able to return.

Cabrera yesterday had surgery to remove the hook of the hamate bone he fractured in his left wrist Sunday. Cabrera has been placed on the 60-day disabled list.

Burke hit .281 (9-for-32) in 15 exhibition games with the Padres. He has a .241 career average in the major leagues, although he hit only .194 in 165 at-bats last year with Arizona.

Injury updates

Veteran Cliff Floyd, who has been on the disabled list since the start of the season with a shoulder injury, had his right knee drained Saturday, further delaying the start of a rehab assignment. The knee was also drained after swelling during spring training. Floyd had been scheduled to join Single-A Lake Elsinore on Monday. “Our doctors are going to look at it, we'll know more in two or three days,” Black said.

Right-handed starting pitcher Cha Seung Baek, who also has been on the disabled list since the start of the season with a forearm strain, could start his rehab assignment as early as next week. Baek threw all his pitches during a bullpen session yesterday and is scheduled to throw again Friday. The decision on a rehab assignment will be made after that outing.

Rotation realigned

Kevin Correia, who had his third scheduled start rained out Monday night in Philadelphia, has been re-slotted to start Friday's opener of a three-game series against the Pirates at Petco Park.

Shawn Hill will be pushed back one day to Saturday and Jake Peavy will start Sunday afternoon.